Echo Tech (Cardiac Sonographer)

Job Summary

The Cardiac Sonographer functions under the direction of the Manager or Lead/Chief Sonographer and is responsible for performing all cardiac imaging, including adult, pediatric, transesophageal (including structural heart) and stress echocardiograms. Performs measurements and calculations according to laboratory protocol, provides an oral summary of preliminary findings to the interpreting Physician, is responsible for the safety and well-being of all patients in the Echo department, and must communicate effectively with patients and the health care team. May also inject/administer Ultrasound Enhancing Agents (UEA) as well as saline bubble studies. Must be available to take call, work weekends and holidays on a rotating basis.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Patient Care

• Verifies proper clinician order for procedure.
• Obtains complete clinical history, gathers examination data and assesses for contraindicating conditions.
• Follows established procedures for the administration of UEAs.
• Ensures that all studies have proper patient identification.
• Reviews ultrasound images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.
• Assists other team members in all modalities when needed.
• Observes patient condition and evaluates situations when physician intervention is necessary.
• Verifies correct identity of patient using 2 unique identifiers prior to a procedure.
• Ensures patient's privacy and comfort is accommodated and maintains patient dignity.
• Demonstrates competence in determination and application of appropriate procedures, equipment, supplies and techniques based on patient age.
• Organizes schedule, time and priorities to accomplish required activities within designated time frames.
• Follows physician instructions when assisting with procedures and exams.
• Uses critical thinking skills.
• Dialogs with patient/family and asks clarifying questions.
• Seeks clarification on ambiguous orders.
• Understands, demonstrates and documents preprocedural verification and Time Out process.
• Demonstrates and understands pre- and post-procedural care.
• Preps the patient for the procedure.

Education and Communication

• Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting procedure using AIDET.
• Ensures patient questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed, notifying physician when needed.
• Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees.
• Provides patients with preparatory instruction and explanation of procedures.
• Required documentation is concise, legible and includes precise terminology.
• Reads email each day scheduled to work and follows through with assignment.
• Completes mandatory departmental and Hospital-wide education without prompting.

Quality Control

• Ensures equipment is fully operational prior to each use by checking for proper calibration and operating deficiencies.
• Sends all studies to PACS immediately after completion, prints CDs as needed.
• Follows infection control policies.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies, and maintains the department in clean and orderly condition.
• Transports patients, positions patients, and helps them on and off procedure table.
• Performs patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered.
• Lends knowledge and assistance to others as needed.
• Performs routine duties of clerical and support personnel when warranted.
• Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities on an ongoing basis.
• Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other co-workers.
• Ability to operate all work stations associated with the US department.
• Ability to push/retrieve images from the Ultrasound console to PACS.
• Maintains Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards.
• Takes call when necessary.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Equipment

• Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider.
• Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule.

Required Minimum Education

High School Diploma / GED. General or Trade School Diploma/Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography preferred.

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated. ARDMS - Registered Medical Sonographer or RCS - Reg Cardiac Sonographer - CCI or RDCS - Reg Diag Cardiac Sonographer. BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - Amer Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor.

Required Minimum Experience

Minimum 1 year experience in echocardiography preferred, or Graduate of a formal Diagnostic Medical Sonography program preferred, or Graduate of an accredited Cardiovascular Technology program preferred.

Required Minimum Skills

Must exhibit excellent communication skills for frequent verbal and written communications with physicians, patients, visitors, departmental staff and nursing staff. Must be able to explain or give directions to maintain goodwill and obtain cooperation. Must possess the ability to function independently and under pressure while participating in a team environment. Must exhibit excellent customer service skills at all times. Must be able to perform effectively in a stressful and fast paced work environment. Must have the ability to prioritize appropriately. Must be detail oriented and able to multitask throughout the work shift. Must be compliant and willing to follow all Hospital policies, practices, protocols and procedures. Must be flexible with work hours to meet department needs. Must be dependable, accountable and cooperative. Must have the knowledge and ability to obtain a quality diagnostic study properly and safely. Responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative. Able to independently perform job functions. Competent in all aspects of Cardiac Ultrasound, patient positioning, and exposure factors. Must understand anatomy and pathology and how they affect the quality of a procedure.